When man comes out of the mother's womb, he does not
bring any money with him. Money does not follow him either when he
departs from the world. Even a millionaire has to partake of salt
and rice. He cannot swallow gold to satiate his hunger. One may feel
proud of his wealth, but he cannot take even a single pie with him
when he leaves the world. Just as man enjoys the honey collected by
the bees, the wealth one amasses may ultimately fall in the hands of
either Donga (thief) or Dora (king).

(Telugu
Poem)

When man emerges from the womb of his mother, one does
not find any garland round his neck. There are no jewels made of
pearls nor are there glittering gold ornaments. There are no chains
studded with precious stones like emeralds and diamonds. There is no
garland of flowers either. But there is one garland round his neck.
Brahma strings together the consequences of his past deeds into a
heavy garland and puts it round his neck at the time of his
birth.

(Telugu
Poem)

Embodiments of love!

Every individual has
a mother. One who does not please his mother and become the recipient of
her love is not a true son. In today's world, mothers who bring up their
children with proper love and care are very rare. It is said, Deho
Devalaya Proktho Jeevo Devah Sanathanah (the body is a temple and the
indweller in the body is God). In every temple, we find a bell. But, the
bell present in the temple of a human body is not visible outside. This
bell is known as Anahati. It is not a bell that one can ring. However, it
rings continuously on its own day in and day out as long as life remains
in the human body. This is nothing but the human heart. When the bell
stops ringing, the body becomes lifeless. Then, we call the body a Savam
(corpse). When the bell is ringing, the body is considered to be Sivam
(auspicious). The entire universe is the temple of God. In this temple of
the universe, one can continuously hear the sound of the bell 'Om'. That
is why God is described as Sabda Brahmamayi, Characharamayi, Jyotirmayi,
Vangmayi, Nityanandamayi, Paratparamayi, Mayamayi and Sreemayi (the
embodiment of sound, movable and immovable, light, speech, eternal bliss,
transcendental, delusion and wealth). Today, instead of attuning ourselves
to that sacred sound of Om, we are lending our ears to worldly talk and
vain gossip. We are unable to listen to the divine voice of Akhanda
Satchidananda Swarupa (God, the embodiment of existence, consciousness and
bliss).

Once upon a time in the temple of Visweswara in Kasi, the
Pujari was offering Arati to the deity. Suddenly, a big gold plate fell
from above. The Pujari was surprised and happily picked it up to have a
closer look at it. There was an inscription on the plate which read as
follows: "It should be given to the greatest devotee. One who does not
chant the Divine Name is not qualified to get it." Then the Pujari thought
to himself, "everyday, I am performing Sahasra Lingarchana and Abhishekam
to the Lord. I am sanctifying my time by chanting the sacred Mantras from
the four Vedas. Can there be a greater devotee than me?" When such ego and
pride clouded his mind, the gold plate in his hand turned into an earthen
plate. Feeling ashamed, he immediately kept it down and the earthen plate
turned into gold again. From that day onwards, whoever visited the temple
was asked to touch the plate to find out if he deserved to receive the
gold plate. But it so happened that the plate would turn into an earthen
one whenever somebody touched it. It continued for a few days. There was a
devotee who always chanted the Name of God, but did not perform any other
Sadhana like Japa, Thapa, Dhyana, etc. He had no desires. He had achieved
Dama (sense control). One day he visited the temple. On being requested by
the Pujari to touch the plate, he said, "Sir, I don't have any desires.
Hence, I don't want to touch it." The Pujari requested him to touch the
plate at least for his satisfaction. The devotee did not want to displease
the Pujari and therefore he touched the plate. No sooner did he touch it
than it started shining with added brilliance. People who were witness to
this event surrounded him and started asking, "Oh noble soul! What is the
method of worship you follow, what is the Sadhana you perform?" Then he
replied, "I have not performed any Japa, Thapa, Yajna or Yaga. I only
serve the poor. They are very dear to God."

Neither by penance nor by pilgrimage nor by study of
scriptures nor by Japa can one cross the ocean of life. One can
achieve it only by serving the pious.

(Sanskrit Verse)

From then
onwards, many rich people started visiting Kasi to see this devotee.
Wherever there are rich people, it is but natural that the poor also
gather begging for alms from the rich. This devotee was moved on seeing
their pathetic condition and resolved to himself, "God loves the poor very
much. That is why He has drawn so many of them to His abode. God will be
pleased only when they are looked after well. That is what I love to do. I
will be happy only when I am able to alleviate the suffering of these poor
people and make them happy." From then on he continued to serve the poor
and the needy with greater devotion and enthusiasm. This was an eye-opener
for the rich who had gathered there.

Even a millionaire
has to partake of salt and rice. He cannot swallow gold to satiate his
hunger. One may feel proud of his wealth, but he cannot take even a single
pie with him when he leaves the world. Such being the case, why should
one struggle to amass wealth? Instead, it is better one strives to attain
divine grace. When you contemplate on God all the time continuously with
single-minded devotion, He will take care of all your needs. This was what
the devotee taught to all those who had assembled there. The money we
accumulate will not follow us. To whom will it go ultimately? Nobody
knows. It is not possible to take even a paisa with us. You have to
undertake righteous deeds and earn merit so as to deserve divine grace.
When you are born out of your mother's womb, you do not find any garland
round your neck. But there is one garland surely. Brahma strings together
the consequences of all your past deeds, be they good or bad, into a heavy
garland and puts it round your neck. Nobody can come into the world
without that garland of Karma. But man forgets this truth and always
craves for pleasures and comforts. How long can the worldly pleasures
last?

Ma Kuru Dhana Jana Yauvana Garvam,Harathi Nimeshath
Kalah Sarvam(Do not be proud of your wealth, progeny and youth;
the tide of time may destroy them in a moment)

Young people feel
proud of their youth and wealth. But they are momentary. Realising this
truth, we have to accumulate the wealth of divine grace. After imparting
such sacred teaching to the people around him, the devotee started coming
out of the temple. As he stepped out, the gold plate too followed him.
Along with the plate, all the coins started rolling behind him. Then the
beggars started going behind him asking for the money. The devotee said,
"My dear ones, what is the use of asking me God is the guardian of all. He
is the richest of all. Hence, pray to Him." As he was moving away, many
coins started falling from the gold plate. The beggars collected those
coins. The devotee went into a state of bliss and closed his eyes. He had
the vision of Lord Visweswara. He prayed, "Oh Lord Visweswara, You are the
master of the whole universe. Can't You take care of these poor people?
Please shower Your grace on them." To pray for the welfare of all with
selfless love is the noblest prayer. The devotee had no trace of
selfishness in him. He prayed for others with selfless love. Hence, God
was pleased with him. You should always pray in a selfless manner. Only
such a prayer will melt God's heart. There is no point in praying to God
with worldly objectives. God, who is the embodiment of love resides in our
Hridaya (heart). Hridaya is known as Anahati. It is the bell that rings
continuously. God residing in our heart keeps it ringing. We should listen
to the sound of that bell.

Self-surrender is the
true offering that you have to make to God. He is not interested in the
worldly offerings you make. What you have to offer to God is the same
heart that He has given you. O God, I offer the heart which You have
given me. What else can I offer at Your Lotus Feet? Please accept my
salutations. (Telugu Poem) God is not interested in the wealth you
have earned or accumulated. He has no dearth of wealth. He is Vishnu
Swarupa. When goddess of wealth Lakshmi herself resides on His chest, what
is it that you can offer Him? The Pakshi Vahana (Lord Vishnu who has
Garuda as His vehicle) has goddess Lakshmi on His chest. Why should He ask
for Bhiksha (alms) from others? Hence, you don't need to give anything
to God. The sacred heart that He has given you should be given back to
Him. Due to the effect of Kali Age, people are not prepared to offer their
heart to God which He has given them. They are offering the wealth they
have accumulated. How can you make such a low and mean offering? You
should offer your heart to God. That is called Anahata Dharma. This is the
true treasure that we have to safeguard always.

Embodiments of Love!Due to the effect of
Kali Age, devotion and detachment have also become artificial. People are
trying to please others, but not God. You have to undertake activities
that are pleasing to God. If you go by your own likes and dislikes, how
can God be pleased with you? What God likes the most is Anahata Prema.
Your Hridaya should overflow with love, sacrifice and bliss. You may make
any number of offerings, but if you do not offer your Hridaya to God, He
will not accept them. He may pretend to have accepted those offerings, but
He will throw them away. You should offer Him that which pleases Him. That
is Hridaya which is called Anahati. It is the centre of love and bliss. In
fact, it is the basis of everything. If you do not offer such a sacred
heart to God, what is the use of other offerings? God is not interested in
such artificial offerings. If you come across poor people, give them what
they require. If they are shivering in the cold, give them a blanket. You
should give them what they need, but not what would you like to give
them.In those days (Swami's school days), when we returned
from the Bukkapatnam school in the evenings, mother Easwaramma would
lovingly enquire as to what happened in the school that day. She had no
formal education at all. One day the children told her, "Mother, today a
teacher by name Kondappa made our Sathya stand upon the bench." They
started criticising him. Mother Easwaramma intervened and said, "Children,
you should not talk ill of your teacher. No teacher would punish his
student without a proper reason. Our Sathya might have committed some
mistake." Then she asked Me, "Sathya, what is the mistake You committed?"
I told her the facts as they happened. Kondappa ordered, "Whoever has
written the notes should place it on his table. Others should stand upon
the bench." I had not written the notes. That was My mistake. Hence, I
stood upon the bench. I also said something which was more than necessary.
I said, "Sir, can all those boys who have taken down the notes answer your
questions? Though I have not written the notes, I can answer any question
that you may ask." Kondappa thought that I was egoistic and ordered Me to
stand upon the bench for three periods. I obeyed him and stood upon the
bench. Meanwhile, the other teacher Mahboob Khan came to the class. He was
a Mohammaden and a noble person. He was pained to see Me standing on the
bench. He asked, "Kondappa, why have you made this boy stand upon the
bench?" "He has not taken down the notes, hence the punishment", said
Kondappa. Mahboob Khan defended Me saying, "So what if He has not taken
down the notes? He can answer all your questions, and that is enough. Ask
Him to sit down." But Kondappa insisted that I should be punished as I had
disobeyed his command. The bell rang and Kondappa had to go to another
class. But he was unable to get up from the chair. Initially he thought
that his dhoti had got entangled to a nail in the chair. But that was not
the case. He was stuck to the chair! When he tried to get up from the
chair, the chair also came along with him. Then Mahboob Khan said,
"Kondappa, He is not an ordinary boy. He is one of great divine powers.
You have punished Him without a proper reason. At least now, ask Him to
sit down." Kondappa realised his mistake and told Me to sit down.
Immediately, he could get up from the chair. When all this was narrated to
mother Easwaramma, she said, "Dear Sathya, you should not punish your own
Guru." I said, "I did not punish him; in fact, he punished himself." She
imparted a sacred teaching to the children, saying, "My dear ones, you are
going to school to study. Whatever you learn, put it to proper use. Only
then will you be called truly educated and earn the appellation Sakshara.
If you do not make proper use of your education, you become a Rakshasa
(demon). Make efforts to earn the title of Sakshara." Then she told Me,
"Sathya! At any time and under any circumstances, do not cultivate hatred
towards anybody. Love all and You will be loved by all." In fact, there is
no trace of hatred or enmity in Me at any time. I love all. That is why
everyone loves Me. If we do not love others, how can we expect others to
love us? Give love and receive love. It is not a one-way traffic. You
should give and take. In this manner, mother Easwaramma taught the
children many sacred ideals. One need not have any formal education in
order to impart such sacred teachings. There are many who are highly
educated, but what is the use? They do not put their knowledge to proper
use. Having received many sacred teachings, you should practise at least
one of them. You perform worship and sing Bhajans with devotion. It is
enough if you practise and experience at least one word of the Bhajans you
sing. For example, you extol God as 'Premaswarupa' (embodiment of love).
Accordingly, you should develop love and share it with others. Only then
can you understand and experience divinity.

Mother Easwaramma used
to impart many noble teachings to the devotees when they gathered around
her. I had given her a small room in Prasanthi Nilayam. Many ladies would
go there and plead with her, "Mother, we have been here for a long time.
Please tell Swami to grant us an interview." She would tell them, "My
dear, Swami may look small to our eyes, but He does not listen to anyone.
He will not act on recommendations. He will give you what you deserve. You
should try to understand the divine principle of Swami." In this manner,
she would give proper guidance to the devotees. One day she told Me,
"Sathya! Your name and fame have spread far and wide. The whole world is
coming to You. Please bestow peace on the world with Your Sankalpa
(Will)." I told her, "It is not that I have to make a Sankalpa for world
peace. Each one has to attain peace by himself, because man by nature is
the embodiment of peace. He is the embodiment of truth. He is the
embodiment of love." You have to manifest your love. You have to
experience peace within. You have to follow the path of truth. Sathyam
Vada, Dharmam Chara (speak truth and practise righteousness). You can
achieve anything when you follow this principle.

Since ancient
times, there have been many noble mothers who have guided their children
on the right path. The future of the nation rests in the hands of mothers.
That is why one calls one's own country as motherland. Bharat is the
birthplace of many noble mothers. Our ancient culture has accorded first
place to the mother. Father comes only next. Even on invitation cards we
write Smt. and Sri. The husband may be highly educated and occupying a
position of authority. He may be the president of the nation. Yet, we
cannot write Sri and Srimati while sending an invitation. Srimati has to
come first. Since ancient times, women are treated with great reverence
and respect in Bharat. This land of Bharat is highly sacred. But
unfortunately, people have lost love for their motherland.

He is a
true human being who loves his mother and becomes the recipient of his
mother's love. One who cannot earn his mother's love is verily a demon.
Hence, respect and revere you mother. Experience and enjoy your mother's
love. Dedicate your life for the happiness of the mother. You may acquire
any number of degrees; you may undertake any number of sacred activities;
but all of them will prove futile if you do not please your mother. There
is none superior to the mother in this world. The Veda has accorded the
place of highest prominence to the mother when it declared, Matru Devo
Bhava, Pitru Devo Bhava, Acharya Devo Bhava, Atithi Devo Bhava (revere
your mother, father, preceptor and guest as God). There may be a son in
this world who does not love his mother, but there cannot be a mother who
does not love her son. There may be differences of opinion between them,
but the motherly love will never diminish.

Embodiments of Love!It is your foremost
duty to love your mother. As soon as you wake up in the morning, the first
thing you should do is to touch your mother's feet and offer your
salutations. Such a noble practice will protect you always and bestow on
you all types of wealth.

Students, Boys
and Girls!You are going to be fathers and mothers in
future. You will be loved and respected by your children only when you
love and respect your parents now. You are bound to face the reaction,
resound and reflection of your actions. When you respect your parents,
there will be rich rewards for you in the future.

Today we are
celebrating Easwaramma Day. I want to tell you an incident that speaks of
her immense compassion and love for children. In those days, students from
various States and countries attended Summer Classes. Gokak, who used to
conduct the classes, was a strict disciplinarian. He was a man of great
character and sacrifice. He was a great academician too. He was conducting
the classes in an exemplary manner. One day, the students were having
lunch in the dining hall. One of the boys got up and went outside before
others could finish their meals. Gokak, who watched this through the
window, called him and chided him for his act of indiscipline. "When your
fellow students are having their food, you should not get up in the middle
even though you have completed your meals. It amounts to insulting them."
Saying so, Gokak suspended him from the classes. The boy was in tears, but
Gokak was not moved. The boy came to mother Easwaramma's room, fell at her
feet and started crying. He told her about the harsh punishment meted out
to him by Gokak. He pleaded with her to come to his rescue. Easwaramma
consoled him and sent him away. She was sitting on the steps where Gokak
would pass by. After a while Gokak came there. She offered her Namaskar to
him and he reciprocated the same most reverentially. Then she said, "When
I did Namaskar to you, you reciprocated the same. In the same manner, if
you punish others, you will be punished in return. The boy out of his
innocence has done a mistake. Please forgive him and allow him to attend
the classes." Then Gokak replied, "Mother, if I forgive him, it would set
a bad precedent for others. Anyway, I will forgive him only for your
sake." In this manner, she would go out of her way to help and provide
comfort and solace to others.

You are bound to face
the consequences of your actions. If you talk to others in a harsh manner,
it will come back to you as resound. If you hit others, it will come back
to you as reflection. Hence, do not hurt others. Do good, be good, see
good and speak good. Then, you will be blessed with rich rewards. Though
mother Easwaramma had no formal education, she conducted herself in an
exemplary manner. She was one of profound wisdom. The teaching that mother
Easwaramma imparted remained etched in the heart of Gokak. Later on when
he came as Vice Chancellor to Puttaparthi, he used to recollect her words
of wisdom. He would remember her everyday. He would say, "I see Easwaramma
in my dream quite often. I follow her advice implicitly."

We should
not criticise others. We should not hurt others or make fun of them. We
should love all. This is what mother Easwaramma taught everybody. Do your
duty sincerely. Then, you will certainly progress in life. Whoever he may
be, follow the sacred teachings of our elders. People attribute certain
teachings to Rama, Krishna, and so on and so forth. It does not matter
whether it is Rama or Krishna, enquire what, why, when, where and under
what circumstances they had given those teachings. You should remember the
context in which those teachings were imparted and act accordingly. When
you obey the command of elders and divine personalities, you will
certainly attain exalted position in life.

Many students do not pay
heed to the words of their mother. It is a grave mistake. Mothers speak
from their heart wishing the welfare of their children. You should
understand their feelings and give due respect to their
words.

Embodiments of Love! Boys and
GirlsObey the commands of your parents. You will
certainly be blessed with all types of education and strength. You do not
need to make any special efforts to acquire them. Discharge your duty
sincerely. Never disregard the words of your parents. Follow them with
love and sanctify your life. Wishing that you give happiness to your
parents and thereby set an ideal to your children, I bless you all and
bring My discourse to a close.